Covering Dorchester
We work in Dorchester (DT1) and the places around it, including Weymouth, Bridport and Yeovil.
Homes in the South West
Homes in the South West range from coastal and rural properties in stone and slate to city terraces and modern estates, so extensions are designed to match the local materials.
What is included in an orangery in Dorchester?
An orangery is a single-storey extension with brick piers or walls, large windows and a glazed lantern set into a solid, insulated roof. It sits between a conservatory and a full extension: lighter than an extension, warmer and more solid than a conservatory.
- Foundations, brick piers and insulated base
- Insulated roof perimeter with plastered pelmet
- Glazed roof lantern and windows or doors
How much should I budget for an orangery?
What orangeries typically cost. These are guide ranges; the written quote for your house replaces them.
| Orangeries | Guide price incl. VAT |
|---|---|
| Standard specification | £3,000 to £3,500 per m² |
| Good specification | £3,500 to £4,100 per m² |
| High specification | £4,100 to £4,800 per m² |
Do you need permission for an orangery in Dorchester?
In England we deal with the council’s planning team for permission or a lawful development certificate, with building control (the council or a registered building control approver) for inspections, and with neighbours under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 where it applies.
In England a single-storey rear extension can often go ahead under permitted development: up to 3 m deep on an attached house or 4 m on a detached one, no higher than 4 m, with eaves no higher than 3 m within 2 m of a boundary. Deeper extensions, up to 6 m or 8 m, need prior approval from the council first.
What should I think about before starting?
- An orangery open to the house needs to meet energy rules, which limits the proportion of glazing.
- Timber-look aluminium or timber frames suit period houses.
What happens after I enquire?
- Tell us about the project. Call, use the guide price tool or send the form with a few photos and a postcode.
- We visit and measure. A surveyor checks the house, the boundaries and the ground, and discusses what is realistic.
- Design and fixed price. You get drawings and a written price for the agreed specification before anything is ordered.
- Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.
What people ask before starting
How much does an orangery cost?
Typically £3,000 to £4,800 per square metre including VAT, or around £50,000 to £70,000 for a 16 m² orangery.
Can it be used in winter?
Yes. It is insulated and heated like any other room.
Who deals with the council for a project in Dorchester?
We do. We prepare the drawings, submit planning or permitted development paperwork if needed, and arrange building control inspections.
Other towns nearby
Learn more about orangeries, or see every project we cover in Dorchester.